The LISP people interviewed their short story finalists about their approach to their writing. Here’s my response:
https://www.londonindependentstoryprize.co.uk/post/janet-h-swinney
‘Last Salon’ LISP finalist 2025
‘The Last Salon’, a getting-on-bit-story about fading artists is declared a finalist in the 2025 London Independent Story Prize competition.
‘Foxtrot’ in Canada – Birthday News!
‘Foxtrot in Fulham’, my story about a dance with a consequence, is republished in ‘Syncopation’, the Canada-based online literary journal concerned with music and literature. Couldn’t have had a better birthday present!!!
You can read it here: https://syncopationliteraryjournal.wordpress.com/volume-2-issue-3/
ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story Competition 2023
‘Oculus’, my story about women’s rights, set in Iran and India, is now a semifinalist in this year’s competition. That puts it in the top 4%-5% of all entrants. It’s won several badges of commendation along the way, and appears on Coverfly’s Red List as among the best works on its site. I’m hoping the current political situation will enable people to see its relevance.
‘If you don’t accept him’ – your father comes to the point – ‘someone else will. He’s looking for a wife and it’s obvious he won’t have to wait for long.’ There’s some slight nuance in your father’s tone that signals menace. It suggests that overnight he’s become your opponent instead of your friend.
ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition 2023
‘One Million People, Full Stop’ makes it to the quarterfinals of this year’s competition. My play is based on the short stories and vignettes of the important Indo/Pak writer, Manto. Its subject is the collective insanity caused by the Partition of India. The drama of the time is framed by a discourse the relationship between morality and freedom of speech. Manto’s musings retain their relevance in today’s ‘cancel culture’, and take on tragic significance with the assault on Salman Rushdie. The play was written at the request of Jatinder Verma, former Artictic Director at Tara Arts, South West London. It now needs a home.
MAN w. SWORD Dildo, is it? Ah’m sick to death of the likes of you thinkin’ you’re better than the likes of me. Fuckin’ cow canoodler. I’m gonnae stick it to ye right the now.
SECOND MAN Nuckleheid! Eejit! I’m the local tailor[1], fer fuck’s sake.
MAN w. SWORD Don’t come it with me, piss tippler. I’d know your sort anywhere.
SECOND MAN I’m tellin’ ye.
MAN w. SWORD Bollocks!
He lunges at the second man, and slashes him neck to navel. The injured man drops down dead. Man with Sword then slices open the dead man’s pyjama string, and peers at the victim’s nether regions.
Oopsie daisy! Wee mishtake!
[1] Traditionally, a Muslim occupation.
Bridport First Novel Prize 2022
‘Hand to Hand, Shoulder to Shoulder’, a novel about the experiences of the Air India flight 101 generation, makes it to the final 8% of this prestigious competition.
‘Oculus’ quarter finalist
My story, set in Iran and India about a woman losing her sense of autonomy, and the desperate measures she takes to try and get it back, is a declared quarter-finalist in this year’s ScreenCraft Cinematic short story competition. Whey hey!
Joe Bedford interview on the role of research and the challenge of writing dialect in the THwTLB
An interview with Joe Bedford, writer, for his Arts Council-funded project about the role that research plays in the writing process. ‘I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to authenticity… You can be sure if you get these things wrong, some other nerd will point it out.’
London Grip Review of THwTLB
‘She introduces us to real people in a tough working-class community who negotiate life with humour and tolerance, despite the shocking abuses that sometimes occur. I want to read more.’ – Emma Storr
Audiobook launches
‘The House with Two Letter-Boxes’ arrives in audio form today. Listen to the actor Hannah Wood bring all the characters to sparkling life. Arts Council funded. First ever audiobook produced by Fly on the Wall Press. Thanks to Isabelle Kenyon for her initiative. @fly_press.
To access it, follow the link: